escalated 1 of 2

as in increased
being at a higher level than average for a time there was an escalated interest in the historical figure following the release of the blockbuster biography

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

escalated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of escalate
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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of escalated
Verb
An argument escalated into gunfire Friday night, killing a man in Kansas City’s Lykins neighborhood, police said. Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026 Other symptoms escalated slowly. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 June 2026 In recent weeks, Ukraine has escalated its military efforts there, reflecting Kyiv’s broader push to increase pressure on the Kremlin. Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 As Ukraine's medium- and long-range aerial attacks against Russia have escalated in recent months, Zelenskyy has sought to portray those assaults as a necessity. Jamie Dorrington, ABC News, 26 June 2026 According to the petition, the fight escalated, and Will Robinson phoned the police while Sandoval hid inside a spare bedroom. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 The game started steady then escalated with three back-to-back goals in the final 15 minutes. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026 The conflict soon escalated into open rebellion. Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 June 2026 Tensions between the two countries escalated just days after Tehran and Washington reached an interim agreement to end hostilities in the region. Yun Li, CNBC, 20 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
  • Hotels are also preparing for increased demand.
    Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 25 June 2026
  • The need to complete that project has grown in urgency as NASA has faced increased competition with its space race rival, China, imbuing SpaceX’s sudden change in priorities with both financial and political stakes.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Shady Alassar | Anadolu | Getty Images Oil rose slightly early Tuesday, fluctuating as investors show cautious optimism about an end to the conflict in the Middle East.
    Justina Lee, CNBC, 23 June 2026
  • Humphreys’ coach at the 2024 world championship in Belgium told him his pulse rate rose to 207.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Video shows how chase led to deadly crash Instead of stopping, the purple car accelerated and sped through a red light, according to video from Joel’s dashboard camera.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
  • One of the officials told CNN that the Justice Department’s National Security Division was already preparing to look at some of the stories’ sources, but Trump’s stack accelerated the effort.
    Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026
  • For years, Aritzia has been my go-to stop for stocking up on elevated basics before any trip—and right now, the Aritzia Summer Sale (up to 50% off everything) is live.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • But to diversify its ranks, the Oscars organization has swelled in recent years.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
  • Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV had encouraged its viewers to follow Vozinha during the match, and the response was immediate — his following swelled to 1 million within minutes of the final whistle.
    Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Under his leadership, SMUD expanded workforce training programs, and joined the state’s Energy Imbalance Market, a wholesale energy-trading market that allows SMUD to buy low-cost renewable energy in real time, and sell excess energy to generate additional revenue.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
  • According to the agency, the Dodd-Frank Act, a 2010 law passed in the wake of the housing crash to tighten financial oversight, expanded its authority by giving it control over swaps, a type of derivative contract.
    Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • While wind conditions around Big Bear Lake weren't necessarily high on Friday afternoon, there were reports of strong gusts in the Lucerne Valley, where there's a main SCE line that feeds BVES the majority of its power.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 27 June 2026
  • Feels-like temperatures outside the Triad could reach as high as 112, the forecast stated.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • And the rise of African soccer hasn’t just boosted the fortunes of African teams.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • The set was boosted by a modest stiletto heel.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 28 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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